Approved ARPA Project: VFW Renovation, $4,200,000

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Building, The North Main Street building located in Hendersonville, NC, was constructed in 1948 and was once the largest VFW chapter. The VFW provided support for veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Veteran Services connects veterans with federal, state, and county government agencies and charitable groups. These services include aid with veteran benefits, services for disabled veterans, and information on medical care, insurance, and educational advantages. Hardship struck the VFW when COVID-19 emerged in early 2020, forcing the organization to cancel public fundraising events and consequently interrupting its revenue stream. The county officially purchased the VFW building in April 2021 for $36,000 and later the Board of Commissioners voted to endorse the renovation and repairs of the VFW building into a multipurpose community center. McMillan Pazdan Smith of Asheville has been recruited to design the renovations, which will cost between $2 and $4 million of the County's awarded ARPA funds. The VFW building will be home to additional events. Local civic clubs will use the facility, and the Henderson County Veteran Services will move from its current location on Spartanburg Highway to the building after renovation.

ARPA: VFW Renovations from Henderson County on Vimeo.